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The Last Train
Based on a song by the acclaimed musician Gordon Titcomb, this is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to a bygone era when everyone traveled by train.
Titcomb's lyrics are evenly matched by Wendell Minor's sumptuous paintings. The Last Train is a book for train lovers, American History buffs, and everyone else.
Titcomb's lyrics are evenly matched by Wendell Minor's sumptuous paintings. The Last Train is a book for train lovers, American History buffs, and everyone else.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 14, 2010
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Gordon M. Titcomb
1 book1 followerMulti-instrumentalist, studio musician and composer, Gordon Titcomb has long been known in the music industry as an "Artist behind the Artist", touring, performing and recording with many of the music World's best known stars including: Paul Simon, Arlo Guthrie, Shawn Colvin and many others. Perhaps you've also seen him a special guest performer with Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Judy Collins, Peter, Paul & Mary, or any number of others well known artists.
Gordon's been a featured soloist at such venerable halls as: The Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Disney Hall to name a few.
Gordon's diverse musical resume' also includes performing in the orchestras of 5 shows on Broadway, producing a children's music album that won a Parent's Choice Honors Award, recording over a hundred national jingles and commercials as well as composing music for Disney, HBO, ESPN, The Maurray Povich Show and many others.
With all of this in mind, Gordon says: "For me, it's always been about the song... how to make the song live & breathe so that it touches the emotions of the people that hear it." "A good song should really be more than merely clever words or pleasant notes... a good song needs to have life and truth at it's core."
A SONG BECOMES A BOOK:
While touring as a member of Arlo Guthrie's band, Gordon wrote a song called The Last Train which subsequently became the title track of his first solo CD.
Gordon says: "I have always loved railroad songs.... I've been working on the Railroad, Wabash Cannonball, Midnight Flyer, City of New Orleans... these are some of the songs that I not only love to sing myself, but hope to introduce to younger generations. They are vital pieces of work that keep the legacy of America's great railroads alive for youngsters. My song was written to shine a light on the people, places, things & songs of the railroad."
This song attracted the attention of noted illustrator Wendell Minor ( Mary Higgins Clark, Buzz Aldrin and many, many others) who contacted Neal Porter at Roaring Brook Press ( Macmillan) to say that he thought the song would make a fantastic book. Upon hearing the song, Porter agreed, and the rest, as they say...is History!"
Gordon's been a featured soloist at such venerable halls as: The Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Disney Hall to name a few.
Gordon's diverse musical resume' also includes performing in the orchestras of 5 shows on Broadway, producing a children's music album that won a Parent's Choice Honors Award, recording over a hundred national jingles and commercials as well as composing music for Disney, HBO, ESPN, The Maurray Povich Show and many others.
With all of this in mind, Gordon says: "For me, it's always been about the song... how to make the song live & breathe so that it touches the emotions of the people that hear it." "A good song should really be more than merely clever words or pleasant notes... a good song needs to have life and truth at it's core."
A SONG BECOMES A BOOK:
While touring as a member of Arlo Guthrie's band, Gordon wrote a song called The Last Train which subsequently became the title track of his first solo CD.
Gordon says: "I have always loved railroad songs.... I've been working on the Railroad, Wabash Cannonball, Midnight Flyer, City of New Orleans... these are some of the songs that I not only love to sing myself, but hope to introduce to younger generations. They are vital pieces of work that keep the legacy of America's great railroads alive for youngsters. My song was written to shine a light on the people, places, things & songs of the railroad."
This song attracted the attention of noted illustrator Wendell Minor ( Mary Higgins Clark, Buzz Aldrin and many, many others) who contacted Neal Porter at Roaring Brook Press ( Macmillan) to say that he thought the song would make a fantastic book. Upon hearing the song, Porter agreed, and the rest, as they say...is History!"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 22, 2011
The memories preserved here bring back those of my own. Teachers of US social studies and history will find this an ideal book when introducing and covering the construction of our transcontinental railroad. The wonderful illustrations remove you from the modern world and transport you to a place in history that many of those alive today have not been.
June 8, 2013
For some reason, my son can see Thomas the Train engines even in this book! Lol. My kids love trains and therefore love this book. The illustrations are haunting and the story is wistful and melancholy.
December 5, 2010
The Last Train tells the story of railroad days of years gone by. Told by a boy whose father and grandfather worked for the railroad as an engineer and station master.
"My Granddad was a railroad man, he drove the trains around, My Daddy, he sold tickets till they closed the station down. "
The once shiny train track are now rusty, since it has been thirty years since the last train road the tracks. The steam engines replace by diesel and electric powered trains.
The Last Train is a touching story of days gone by. The fabulous painting illustrations by Wendell Minor tell the story of the railroad past and present. The story is told in rhyme fashion that will keep young children engaged, and parents too should enjoy the lovely story and pictures that tell a somewhat sad but engaging story of the way life use to be. I was wowed by this book and illustrations. The music cd which accompanied this book was great as well, with the foreward by Arlo Guthrie.
Gordon Titcomb, is not only an author, but an amazing folk musician who has performed for 25 years with some of the world's most renowned artists, such as Arlo Guthrie, Hank Williams Jr. and Paul Simon. The words in the book are based on a song by the same name from 2005, and the rhythm of the music carries through this beautiful book, as you turn the pages and read along. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
"My Granddad was a railroad man, he drove the trains around, My Daddy, he sold tickets till they closed the station down. "
The once shiny train track are now rusty, since it has been thirty years since the last train road the tracks. The steam engines replace by diesel and electric powered trains.
The Last Train is a touching story of days gone by. The fabulous painting illustrations by Wendell Minor tell the story of the railroad past and present. The story is told in rhyme fashion that will keep young children engaged, and parents too should enjoy the lovely story and pictures that tell a somewhat sad but engaging story of the way life use to be. I was wowed by this book and illustrations. The music cd which accompanied this book was great as well, with the foreward by Arlo Guthrie.
Gordon Titcomb, is not only an author, but an amazing folk musician who has performed for 25 years with some of the world's most renowned artists, such as Arlo Guthrie, Hank Williams Jr. and Paul Simon. The words in the book are based on a song by the same name from 2005, and the rhythm of the music carries through this beautiful book, as you turn the pages and read along. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
February 3, 2023
Mom: It was a meh book , forgettable nothing special, although my son does like trains, he did like the pictures , there were no bad take aways , the language was more mature for a childrens book which I appreciate and the pictures were beautiful too.
Benny (2yo): I think my son enjoyed the pictures , because the book had bigger words, the concepts went over his head but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.
Benny (2yo): I think my son enjoyed the pictures , because the book had bigger words, the concepts went over his head but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.
September 14, 2017
This is a library item that came with an audio cd. We read and listened to the narrated audio file. The CD came with a song, and an theatrical narration. It was very enjoyable, talking about one man's memories of the old railroad system. All three girls gave it 5 out of 5 stars.
January 13, 2018
I don’t usually document picture books I read, but this was special. The beautiful paintings and nostalgic story reminded me of my railroad engineer grandfather.
December 6, 2018
Lovely book!
January 4, 2020
I love the music references, but it's a little sad as it discusses the end of an era of railroad travel. C is obsessed with trains and we have read this a dozen times is 3 days! 🤣🤣
September 29, 2021
Fun read with good nostalgic feel.
June 12, 2023
Anything about trains and a bygone era and Wallace (age three, going to 80) is thrilled. We listened to the Gordon Titcomb song this afternoon and love a book that opens up a word.
February 5, 2024
This book brought back some great memories. The Wendell Minor illustrations are wonderful.
September 27, 2010
Based on a song by Gordon Titcomb, this book celebrates the days of the steam engines and small depots. A modern child visits the decrepit old depot in his town, the rusty tracks that no long gleam. He thinks about his grandfather and father and the work they did on the railroad. He dreams of huge engines and shiny cars streaking past. His box of memorabilia has plenty of memories stored inside of the glory days of the railroad. Titcomb’s words are enduring as he speaks to the wondrous power of the steam locomotive and the days when they ran. Minor’s art brings both modern days and history to life in warm colors, allowing young train enthusiasts to dream along with him about the power of steam.
Titcomb’s song and this book really celebrate the steam engine and the magic that those days still hold for modern children. The entire book is nicely summed up in the final lines:
A blast of steam,
the whistle screamed its mournful last refrains,
Long silent, though its echo still remains.
The words are poetry, they rhyme and dance, chugging along at times, at others sleekly gliding past. He captures the joy of the rails perfectly.
Minor’s art is celebrates the trains too. From the engine in the darkness under a star-filled sky to the caboose disappearing as the snow blows in. But he also celebrates a child’s relationship with trains. His old depot is filled with details that bring it to life. His meadows of flowers serve as a backdrop to the aging railyard. His flattened coins remind us all of sunny days and the surprising warmth of a smashed coin after the train goes by. In short, he shows us just why we all love trains.
A beautiful book, this is sure to be enjoyed by train lovers old and young. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Reviewed from copy received from illustrator.
Titcomb’s song and this book really celebrate the steam engine and the magic that those days still hold for modern children. The entire book is nicely summed up in the final lines:
A blast of steam,
the whistle screamed its mournful last refrains,
Long silent, though its echo still remains.
The words are poetry, they rhyme and dance, chugging along at times, at others sleekly gliding past. He captures the joy of the rails perfectly.
Minor’s art is celebrates the trains too. From the engine in the darkness under a star-filled sky to the caboose disappearing as the snow blows in. But he also celebrates a child’s relationship with trains. His old depot is filled with details that bring it to life. His meadows of flowers serve as a backdrop to the aging railyard. His flattened coins remind us all of sunny days and the surprising warmth of a smashed coin after the train goes by. In short, he shows us just why we all love trains.
A beautiful book, this is sure to be enjoyed by train lovers old and young. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Reviewed from copy received from illustrator.
January 4, 2015
The Last Train by Gordon M Titcomb is a folk song that recounts the last years of passenger trains as a major source of transportation in the United States. Wendell Minor's paintings turn the song into a children's picture book.
The narrator tells about his father who used to sell tickets at the now boarded up and dilapidated train station. It goes through the memories of hearing and seeing the the trains roll through town and imaging the places they were headed to and from.
As a child I listened to trains rumble through Rose Canyon below my grandparents' home. In the day time I would rush out to watch them — so many times that my grandmother kept a foot stool out there so I could see over her fence. So I get the nostalgia — but I'm not sure how well that plays with children with the context of a parent or grandparent explaining the book.
Now as a parent, I'm happy to say my kids are growing up in an area where trains are still an every day thing. They don't go as many places as they used to but we can still go down to our little station (un-manned) and catch a train or just go train watching. We can hear them blow their horns at night.
The narrator tells about his father who used to sell tickets at the now boarded up and dilapidated train station. It goes through the memories of hearing and seeing the the trains roll through town and imaging the places they were headed to and from.
As a child I listened to trains rumble through Rose Canyon below my grandparents' home. In the day time I would rush out to watch them — so many times that my grandmother kept a foot stool out there so I could see over her fence. So I get the nostalgia — but I'm not sure how well that plays with children with the context of a parent or grandparent explaining the book.
Now as a parent, I'm happy to say my kids are growing up in an area where trains are still an every day thing. They don't go as many places as they used to but we can still go down to our little station (un-manned) and catch a train or just go train watching. We can hear them blow their horns at night.
April 5, 2012
As Arlo Guthrie is quoted, "What a gorgeous tribute this is that preserves as it distills for future generations the life of a little railroad station." The Last Train is a beautiful reminiscence of a bygone era. You can still ride a train, but it depends on where you live. Large cities own subways and tracks, but not everyone lives in a large city. What an adventure (or terror) to ride a train today! Step back in time when trains were run with coal and steam. Journey back when the family business what the train business. Thank you, Titcomb and Minor for a peek into the past.
Theme: Trains
Additional themes: history, family
Theme: Trains
Additional themes: history, family
June 24, 2013
A book my preschoolers enjoyed so much, they made me read it twice in one sitting. However, it was mostly because of the beautiful illustrations. My 5 yr old was bored, and I myself, was captivated by the nostalgia the book invoked in the pictures, and in the words. The rhyming always seems to help with the smaller kids as well. Overall, better than the usual "this is a train" book, but not one we'll probably read again.
March 30, 2016
The narrator talked about his dad and grandad working on the train. "My Granddad was a railroad man,/ he drove the trains around,/ My Daddy, he sold tickets/ till they closed the station down." There were beautiful images of railroad memorabilia. It was a lovely memorial to the trains of times gone by, and a good way to get a conversation started with children about the way their own ancestors traveled 100 years ago.
February 5, 2011
The illustrations are gorgeous! My grandson loved looking at the pictures. He LOVES trains. However the illustrations are what make the book. The story was only so so. I just wish the story had been more about trains less about memories. Kids today are fascinated with trains.
Not one to add to my collection.
Not one to add to my collection.
September 9, 2011
Poetry - 2010 This books is based around a poem/song about a boy remembering his grandfather's work on a train. Beautiful metaphors and similes describe the changes to the uses of trains. I was drawn to this book because of my son's love for trains, but I think it could be used with older students when discussing mental images.
August 8, 2012
This book based on a song about the fading past of the American locomotive was beautifully presented and adorned with art from the great Wendall Minor. Additionally, there are some beautiful metaphors and similes sprinkled into the text. I'm not a train fanatic or a nostalgia junkie, but this really conjured some brilliant imagery for me. Good book.
January 20, 2013
A great, nostalgic read for train lovers. This would be a fun way to start a unit on transportation, or then-versus-now. I did find it annoying that the score wasn't included in a book based on a song. A web link for the purchase of the mp3 is given at the back of the book, though that's not much help in a library setting.
July 31, 2014
Of all the train books for kids I've read recently, this one is my favorite. The text and pictures accurately depict the long lost era of the trains. My own experience with a train loving uncle lets me understand the heartfelt memories held by persons who lived during the height of railway transportation.
September 28, 2010
lyrics for a song about the railroad combined with beautiful paintings capturing a different era make this title a sure winner. even just read, this is a great selection for both storytime and home sharing. some children will ask for this one again and again.
October 11, 2010
Elegiac and lovely, evoking a lost time, with some truly gorgeous illustrations (the Midnight Flyer spread, with the train speeding across the pages, smoke trailing behind, and a deep blue starry sky, is a standout).
August 28, 2015
The song lyrics worked surprisingly well as text for this book -- this definitely is NOT true of all song lyrics. And the illustrations were done very, very, very well -- they were beautiful to behold.
October 11, 2010
gorgeous pictures for our train loving folks
November 4, 2010
Gorgeous illustrations (5 stars)
January 1, 2011
Beautifully illustrated celebration of a bygone era when trains were the way to travel.
February 8, 2011
Loved the illustrations but the story was lacking plus we still have trains that people ride - even in southwest Kansas! The book makes it sound like trains are a thing of the past.
February 8, 2011
Nicely illustrated and very readable in rhyming format. Pretty sad, though.
April 28, 2011
social and environmental, verse, realistic
8-12
8-12
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews